What are the two types of approaches in research? Explain.

The
two main types of research are qualitative research and quantitative research. Qualitative
research is descriptive in nature, because it generally deals with non-numerical and
unquantifiable things. A biologist studying symbiotic relationships in nature, for example,
would use qualitative research, because the scientist would more often than not be describing
behaviors of animals. There might some numerical data in that the researcher would document the
number of observations; however, the observations themselves would be descriptive of what the
animals do. Anecdotally, when students of mine are first learning about wave interactions, they
have to do an experiment that asks them to qualitatively describe what happens when a wave
trough meets a wave crest.

Quantitative research is much more numbers-driven.
The emphasis is on the collection of numerical data. The conclusion then makes inferences based
on that data. A biologist studying population numbers would use quantitative research. Using the
same anecdotal lab of mine, students eventually change the frequency of waves to manipulate the
wavelength. They can qualitatively describe what happens, but they are also taking quantitative
numerical data about the wavelength, amplitude, and frequency of various
waves.